Absorbing Power

[Roy125]

So I'm playing a more energy-efficient style of tennis (Old-Man style-ish) now that the tennis season is over. It means that I stay very close to the baseline when rallying and having a short takeback for most of my shots. It also means that I hit relatively flat or with underspin with most my shots. I'm having trouble with absorbing power with my backhand slice though, especially with loopy topspin balls.

Is slicing back a loopy ball more tricky than just blocking it back? Because I can't seem to time the stroke right and the ball never goes where I want it to.

Also, does anyone have any more tips to playing old-man tennis?

 

[Power Player]

Yeah you drop shot back topspin balls to your backhand. Thats what one guy does who has mastered old man tennis. Takes a lot of time and practice, you are not just going to have the touch for those shots off the bat.

 

[OldFedIsOld]

I hug the baseline and take almost all balls early against people who hit loopy topspin balls, never had any trouble. I would suggest not trying to slice too much when you're hugging the baseline, it's more effective to drive it with a topspin backhand. If you really want to slice it, then you have to move in slightly when you do it.

 

[LeeD]

Easier to short hop deep shots using a flatter stroke, but much shorter in backswing.
Watch vids of McEnroe when he's playing back. Placement is key, power is secondary.

 

[Larrysümmers]

how about: instead of developing a style, why dont you work on all of your strokes in general?
be sure to use an over sized racket thats HH. cant use a 'players' racket or 'tweener' if you have no back swing.